Full time: Weston-super-Mare 2-0 Chelmsford City
Chelmsford City fell to defeat against Weston-super-Mare on Saturday afternoon, with second half goals from Nick McCootie and Reuben Reid earning Scott Bartlett’s men the three points.
There was little to separate both sides during the opening 60 minutes of the proceedings at the Optima Stadium, although the better chances in this spell of the match fell City’s way. Clarets captain Charlie Ruff converted a goalscoring opportunity from close-range in the 41st minute. However, the attacking midfielder was denied his first National League South goal of the season when the assistant referee raised his flag to signal for an offside offence once the strike had hit the back of the net.
In the second period, the hosts took the lead in the 63rd minute when substitutes Reuben Reid and Nick McCootie combined, with the latter of the two putting the ball in the back of the Clarets’ net. Despite the City players’ protestations that McCootie had scored the opener whilst being stood in an offside position, the goal stood following a discussion between referee Phillip Eddie and assistant referee Lewis Ward. Reid then got on the scoresheet when he doubled his side’s advantage 13 minutes later, after slotting a low shot past Ted Collins.
City boss Robbie Simpson made three changes to the eleven he named against Tonbridge Angels last time out. Jake Hyde was recalled to the starting XI after scoring his second City goal during the Monday night fixture against the Angels, while Callum Watts and Bradley Williams were also brought back into the starting lineup after making positive impacts from the bench during Monday’s match.
There was little by way of chances for both sides during the first half of what proved to be a wind-stricken affair in Somerset. Within the first minute of the match, the returning Williams caused Weston problems down their left-hand-side, when he delivered a dangerous cross which fizzed across the hosts’ six-yard box. Osman Foyo and Hyde both were unable to guide efforts on target in the 14th and 19th minute respectively.
Ruff put the ball in the back of the net in the 41st minute when Callum Watts’ deflected shot landed his way, however the Clarets’ celebrations were cut short by the assistant referee’s raised flag. In added time of the first half, Hyde came close to scoring in a third consecutive match when he connected with another dangerous cross delivered by Williams, but the forward’s header went the wrong side of the Weston net and behind the goal.
Weston opened the second period by squandering a good chance in the 52nd minute; attacker Luke Coulson latched on to Dylan Kadji’s long ball behind the Clarets’ backline, but he was unable to beat City shot-stopper Collins, who did well to divert Coulson’s effort behind for a corner. Unfortunately for the travelling Chelmsford City fans, Collins was unable to prevent Weston substitute Nick McCootie from opening the scoring in the 63rd minute. Reuben Reid’s pass across goal picked out the experienced forward’s run towards the backpost, who went on to guide the ball into the back of the City net. Despite the visitors’ protestations that McCootie had scored whilst being stood in an offside position, the goal stood following a conversation between the referee and his assistant.
Simpson made two substitutions after his side went behind, but it was Bartlett’s side who scored the game’s next goal to increase their lead. Reid cleverly worked an opening for himself on the edge of the Clarets penalty area, and turned from provider to goalscorer when he slotted his low shot past the outstretched Collins.
City were unable to pull one back to create a tense close to the proceedings at the Optima Stadium – Weston keeper Will Buse was on hand to deny Hockey a goal in added time.
The Clarets will have the opportunity to put Saturday’s result behind them in less than 48 hours’ time, when they return to action at home to Chippenham Town on Monday afternoon.
Weston-super-Mare XI: Buse (GK); Thomas (Avery 33’), Kadji, Pope, Dodd, Waite, Coulson, M. Lewis (Bastin 58’), E. Lewis ©, Bak (Reid 58’), Chamberlain (McCootie 58’).
Unused substitutes: Absalom (GK).
Yellow cards: Dodd.
Chelmsford City XI: Collins (GK); Williams (Akanbi 80’), Penney, Gale, Oguntayo (Kalala 77’); Watts (Crichlow 67’), Blackman; Foyo, Ruff ©, Donaldson; Hyde (Hockey 46’).
Unused substitutes: Orji.
Yellow cards: Simpson (Manager).
Match Officials: Phillip Eddie (Referee), Sean Jenkins (Assistant Referee), Lewis Ward (Assistant Referee), Josh Eyre (Fourth Official).
Attendance: 902
by